Key stakeholders in Early Generation Seed (EGS) production and delivery systems in Uganda met recently to introduce activities conducted with the aim of implementing business models for EGS production in the country. They also deliberated on steps needed to pilot/scale the EGS business model for sorghum and finger millet in Uganda.

1. Newsletter
Happenings
In-house version 19 March 2021, No.1898
Meetings
Strengthening Early Generation Seed production and
delivery systems in Uganda
Key stakeholders in Early Generation Seed (EGS)
production and delivery systems in Uganda met
recently to introduce activities conducted with the aim of
implementing business models for EGS production in the
country. They also deliberated on steps needed to pilot/
scale the EGS business model for sorghum and finger
millet in Uganda.
As a means to tackle the challenge of inadequate EGS
supply in Africa, the Integrated Seed Sector
Development Africa project, which organized the above
meeting, is trying to implement business models in EGS
production, led by ICRISAT. The goal is to explore EGS
supply initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia to
reveal best practices as well as bottlenecks and
eventually generate ideas for designing and piloting
models that can work in specific contexts. The
stakeholders met at the National Semi-Arid Resources
Research Institute (NaSARRI) of the National Agricultural
Research Organization (NARO), Uganda.
Dr Michael Ugen, Director, NaSARRI, appreciated the
timeliness of the project considering the number of
improved varieties that need to reach farmers – the
intended users of these improved technologies. He also
emphasized the need to create demand for the seed by
informing farmers about the importance of regularly
replacing (renewing) seed stocks if they are to benefit
from the high productivity and adaptability of the
improved non-hybrid varieties.
The stakeholders agreed to develop a Memorandum of
Understanding with selected seed producers. They also
agreed that NARO Holdings would do a cost analysis and
provide the EGS production plan for sorghum and finger
millet while NaSARRI maintains production of breeder
seed. NaSARRI will lead in identifying potential seed
producers who would work closely with the two
institutions as out-growers for foundation seed.
The meeting, conducted on 4 March 2021, was attended
by 18 stakeholders (14 men and 4 women), including
breeders from grain legumes and dryland cereal crops
breeding programs; management staff; seed company
representatives; seed producer farmer organizations;
non-government organizations NARO Holdings Ltd.; and
Local Government representative from the Ministry of
Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAIF).
About the authors:
Robinah Nakabaggwe, NaSARRI, Uganda
Hellen Opie, NaSARRI, Uganda
Dr Essegbemon Akpo, ICRISAT
. Photo: R Nakabaggwe and Hellen Opie, NaSARRI/NARO
Stakeholders who participated in the meeting.
Project: Integrated Seed Sector Development Africa (ISSD
Africa)
Donor: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Partner: Wageningen University and others